Auburn Mountainview’s Nguyen named best in the U.S. at Microsoft PowerPoint

Just-graduated senior bested 350,000 competitors to demonstrate superior Microsoft PowerPoint skills and advance to the World Championship

June 20, 2018 9:30 am
Auburn Mountainview High School graduate Linh Nguyen, far right, accepts her award, accompanied by her sister Nhi, left, who also competed in the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S.National Championship, and their teacher, Patricia Eckelman. COURTESY PHOTO, Certiport

For the Reporter

Linh Nguyen, a 17-year-old who just graduated from Auburn Mountainview High School, took top honors at the recent 2018 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship in Atlanta.

The competition included more than 350,000 total entrants and 147 finalists. Certiport, a leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners, announced the winners this week.

Nguyen captured first place in the Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 category, and in addition to a $3,000 cash prize, she and a chaperone will now head to Orlando, Fla., for the MOS World Championship from July 29-Aug. 1.

“I did not think I would become the winner, so I was so surprised when they called me for first place – I can’t believe that,” Nguyen said. “I feel happy, but it is so scary to move on and compete against other countries. There are many people who are so smart but I can try my best.”

Nguyen, who just completed her final exams to graduate from Auburn Mountainview, plans to go to a community college and study computer science before transferring to a four-year university. Nguyen taught herself English as a second language after moving to the United States from Vietnam three years ago. She is the only female MOS U.S. National Champion this year.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State invested to bring Microsoft Office Specialist Certification to all secondary and middle schools. More than 260 schools offer the MOS exams throughout the state.

Another Washington student placed third in the competition in the Microsoft Word category. Bailey Griffin, 16, who attends Lake Stevens High School, qualified for the event last year, and has mastered each of the Microsoft Office programs.

After entering a passing score on an eligible MOS Exam in the qualifying round, 147 finalists were given a printed copy of a document, spreadsheet or presentation to recreate along with printed instructions and digital assets. They were then scored according to the accuracy of the recreation compared to the original.

“We’re so impressed by all of these students – they’ve proven they can use Microsoft Office tools effectively which will be a key to successful academic and career pursuits,” said Raymond Murray, vice president, business development, Pearson VUE. “Our goal is to turn these students from learners to earners, and many of them go on to win internships and jobs as a result of proving their skills in Microsoft Office.”

Certiport anticipates more than 150 finalists from more than 30 countries will compete at the MOS World Championship where students will again participate in a unique competition exam in their track. Six winners will receive cash prizes, medals and the title of Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Excel or PowerPoint World Champion.